I love a room with an accent {wall!}

Who loves color? Oooh oooh me, I do!

Yeah, I get rather excited about a brightly colored wall. If you don't believe me just check out my very bright dining room!

Unfortunately, many of the rooms in our shotgun-style house are pretty small, so dark colors are definitely out. Unless....

...I do an accent wall!

So that is exactly what I decided to do in our current bedroom. It has the perfect wall for an accent color. There apparently used to be a fireplace there, which I wish longingly was still there; however, when a previous owner did renovations the fireplace was removed and was replaced with new drywall. However, it still juts out -- making it the perfect little accent wall:

So it is really just part of a wall which I thought would be easy to paint over in case of disaster, right? {in my house there are occasionally "paint disasters..."}

And there was a slight disaster. The paint I chose is metallic paint (bronze, Valspar.) Tip: follow the instructions the nice Lowe's paint employee gives you in that handy dandy brochure {that I, um, completely ignored when I first tried to do it.} I was much too impatient and schlupped both layers as fast as I could -- I was so excited!

Then I had to go back to Lowe's and get another can of the top-layer to redo it...and that stuff ain't cheap, folks. In paint terms, at least.

After my second go round I was much more pleased! Here is my new accent wall, all shiny and new!

I added my West Elm wood block ledges, and moved my stone candles from the guest bath to create a simple, modern, organic look.

So here is another look at the before:

{just another cream-colored wall}

And the after:

{shiny, modern, new}

So I didn't exactly go "bright" or "dark"...but I definitely went "unique," and I love it.

Has anyone else played around with metallic paint? This was pretty much a wild-hair design decision -- but I'm glad I tried something new!

Have a blessed Sunday!

G

PS: Linking up to this lovely party...check out other ideas here:

{morning bliss}

I like a lazy Saturday morning.

Sleep in.

Make coffee.

Cook a delicious breakfast.

Nap.

Wake up.

Enjoy the day!

G

r.i.p. camera: {the last shots}

I went camping over the weekend in Kentucky's beautiful Red River Gorge with my husband and our 'doodle. The weather was perfect, and our time together was great: hiking, talking, laughing....

and then my camera broke.

The lens just decided, "Sorry, not popping out anymore!"

I was a little discouraged, but deep-down I was thinking: "Hmmmm...Christmas just might have to come a little early this year. Ya know, considering how good I've been and everything." Right.

:D

So here are some of the last shots my poor, dear, deceased camera mustered:

Rest peacefully in camera heaven, my scratched-up, strange-noise-making, dear little Sony camera.

G

sneak peek: {bedding re-do!}

Can't resist. Have to share something new from my bedroom mini-redo! I changed up my duvet cover...which I know is a small change, but it really brightened up the tiny room we use as our bedroom for the moment.

{duvet before: dark, blah}

{duvet after: light, organic, chic }

Many more changes to follow in this space {new window treatments, accent wall, hardwood flooring?!?} but for now, simple, organic bedding change-up.

{Sweet dreams}

G

PS: Lnking this to this sweet link party:

{i feel pretty, oh so pretty} : my top 5 beauty must-haves

What makes you feel {pretty}?

(And who now has that song stuck in their head?)

The last couple days I have been feeling very blah so I decided to whip out my Top 5 Beauty Must-Haves that make me feel oh-so-pretty and share them with you...

1. Baby oil.

Not trying to be weird here, but I love baby oil. I use it instead of body lotion. Partly because I am lazy, and partly because I am cheap. For $3/month my skin stays glowing and baby soft, and it is easy to just slather it on after a shower, quick rinse, towel dry. Lurrrve my baby oil.

2. High heels.

These are not my fabulous legs or my Louboutins, but even I can go from shlup to sassy just by putting on a pair of 4 inch heels. Sometimes I wear them around the house. With my sweatpants. Just 'cause.

{posh}

3. Bronzer.

I'm no Snookie...but I love to be tan. At least a little tan. So when I am going out and feel a little pale I am instantly energized when I use some mineral bronzer with a touch of glitter. Oh yes, I did, in fact, say glitter.

4. Bright scarves!

This is my go-to accessory to feel lovely. Jeans, t-shirt, scarf. Something about a fun, bright pattern hanging loosely around my neck makes me feel cozy and chic at the same time...and brightens my mood!

{anthropologie}

5. Clear lip gloss.

You know, the really shiny, plumping kind? I don't know why I bother, as it ends up being licked off unconsciously within the first hour, but for that first five minutes my lips look, well, fantastic - and shiny!

{So what are your top 5 beauty must-haves?}

G

at last, my mums!

For the past 5 months the mums I planted last fall in my perennial bed have been growing into the most gigantic mum forest I ever could have dreamed of...

...but have taken literally forever to bloom!

However, I am happy to say {mainly because this is the first time I have had mums that have re-bloomed!} that the yellow have arrived, more bright and gorgeous than I could have imagined:

I took these photographs today, and I have no idea why the background is coming out black - but I love the drama it adds!

Still waiting on the purple and orange...

come on ladies!

:o)

G

{the lovely stones}

{remodelista}

I like the simple, pure, and natural look of stones. I've always gravitated towards them with my camera, as so often they take an artistic form. Sometimes intentionally, like this "cairn" (mound of stones created by hikers to mark a mountain trail) :

But many times unintentionally, such as the morning sun hitting these garden rocks just perfectly:

At the Mondavi vineyards in Napa Valley {our honeymoon spot} giant stones were placed at the beginning of each line of grape plant to mark the varietal:

So how can these {lovely stones} translate to interior decor? The fireplace mantel photograph at the top is a beautiful example: bold, yet understated at the same time.

Here is another idea: If you are going for a zen, spa-like feel in your bathroom, try some stone accent candles. I found these lovelies at World Market:

I love to find ways to bring the outdoors in, and stones -- even if you are just using pebbles as vase fillers! -- are an easy way to do it.

{ecosalon}

Much joy to you on this {almost Friday!}

G